The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1887-06-30

to meet him on the road just now. SO I
brought him back to dinner. Near
ready, amt itp'
Very nearly, James. How do you
do. sirp The clothes-yard is hardly
the place for a formal introduction, but
Ill times and seasons are alike to my
hnsband;'' and the smile which lighted
Mrs. Grants onc beautiful, but now
sadly worn face. had in 1t q tinge of
bitterness which did not escape the doc
tors watchful eye.
Poor Woman!' he murmured to
himself; cts just as her aunt told me;
hes a daily immolation on the alter of
hospitality"
''Of course they are" said the dea-
ton, all Unconscious of this by-play of
thought; where's the difference in
times and seasons? If a mans ready
TO receive his friends on Thursday af-
lernoon, why should't he be ready on
Monday morningP A friends a friend,
and a days a day. I don't see that it
matters much what name you call it.
But come into the house, doctor, you'll
melt in this broiling sum- and the dea-
con lead the way, through the vine-
covered porch. into the cool sitting
room.
The doctor sank into the easy chair
proffered him with a sigh of relief. 1t
was such q change from the glare out
ide-this dainty room, with its screened
windows, its floor covered with cool
mating, its vases of delicate flowers.
Isn't it deliciousa" he exclaimed.
Yes. said the deacon, '.this is
what | call comfort. Excuse ME If l take
of my coat ? After u hot days work,
to come in and stretch yourself on this
lounge for All hour is something worth
while, and / enjoy 1t twice as much if
there is somebody with me-"
An opening door just then let in the
rattle of dishes from IN adjoining
room, and the doctor found himself
wondering how many hours a day Mr..
Grant took to enjoy the GOODNESS but
be only said. "you ar a very hos
pitable man, Deacon Grant. "e1sa :
"Wellr! said the deacon, with the
air of a man who, though not nncon-
cious of his merits, could yet be hum
BILE in that consciousness /; I've al
ways considered hospitality one of the
cardinal virtues in fact, / may say the
cardinal one. What greater condem-
nation could the Master pronounce
than Twas a stranger, and ye took me
not in ?" I've tried to live with that
passage before me for the past fifteen
years, and / can assure you that no
one vas ever turned empty from ma
door. Why, I've had dozens of poor
fellows stop here months at a time when
they have been looking for work. I
don't say it boastingly, but you can ask
Deacon Grants reputation anywhere
about here, and you'll be told that I'm
given to hospitality"
'Youm must be peculiarly fortunate in
securing servants,,'' said the young
doctor quietly, Tor else the strain Of SO
much generosity would come very
heavily upon your wife. I
well. no." said the deacon u~neasily,
cts pretty hard work to get good
help, that's q fact, especially as I cant
afford to pay fancy prices. We have
only a young girl this summer, but an
old aunt Of mine is living here, who is
IS spry as q cricket, and helps about a
good deal. Then we have no children,
and woman 3 work is nothing anyhow"
81 think your wife looks far from
well. and as if she were working much,
beyond her strength" said the doctor
Ia his most assured professional tone.
"Whop HelenP Oh. no, she always
looks that way, and she's perfectly
well. I never heard her complain in
The fifteen years we've lived together"